There are probably over 25 metal shingles on the market today ranging from $4 a square foot to $8. That’s just for the material. Keep in mind most square foot prices don’t include the trim. Add the trim and the cost per square foot can easily double. Add the labor and you start getting an accurate picture of the real cost.

 In the Mid Atlantic area asphalt shingle Labor for an inexpensive 25-year shingle are in the $90 to $110 per square (100 square feet) for a low slope up and over gable roof with low difficulty. The roofing cost for the same roof using a metal shingle in Labor is $300 to $500. The reason has to do with how difficult the installation method for each particular manufacturer is. In some cases, a batten or counter batten system has to be built prior to the installation of the shingles. In almost all of these profiles, each shingle has to be fitted to the adjoining metal shingle with metal tabs and screws. We installed one “hidden fastener” type of very expensive metal shingle and we had to use an exposed fastener screw to hold down one side so it wouldn’t lift in a high wind. Once you add this high labor cost, with the added very expensive trim, you can easily be in the $1200 to $1500 a square price range.

Does this high price mean the metal shingles are more waterproof or windproof? They are usually more windproof because of the stiffness of the metal and the fact that they have a fastener on all four edges. On any slope greater than 5/12 they are usually more waterproof. The real issue is water tension. The “Gutter Helmet” style of gutter covers actually work on the basis of water tension. The water flows off of the roofing material onto the curved metal helmet (usually aluminum because it is lighter) and water tension allows the rainwater to follow the curve of the metal into the gutter. Debris, like leaves, twigs and pine needles, don’t create water tension so they tend to fall off of the curved helmet and don’t enter the gutter. Metal shingles work the same way so if the slope is not steep enough the water will actually follow the bottom lip of the shingle and in many cases, with the proper volume of rain, the water will actually make its way behind the shingle. We installed a very high dollar lifetime metal shingle on an approved 5/12 slope and after one year the entire plywood deck of that slope rotted out. We had to remove the shingle and the plywood and reinstall plywood as well as a standing seam metal roof. Every metal shingle we have studied has this issue, except one.

The 4Ever metal shingle has two advantages over any other metal shingle we have ever seen. The inventers have figured out how to control the water tension issue and how to bring down the difficulty of installation with the resulting reduction of labor costs. First, let’s discuss the water tension issue. Where two shingle edges adjoin is where the issue is. When rain curves around the shingle above this junction the water normally will go behind the low shingles. These guys have figured out a unique and creative way to stop this issue. Second, let’s discuss why not only the labor is less costly but also why the installation can keep pace with an asphalt shingle installation. The 4Ever metal shingle interlocks on all four sides. After the first shingle (which is 36” by 13”) is hooked in to the eave drip edge and nailed in place, the same as any asphalt shingle, the second 4Ever metal shingle is locked in to the eave drip edge and slid in to an interlocking fold. It is nailed in place. The row above this first row interlocks just below the nail strip making this a hidden faster roof with a wind rating of over 120 mph. The exposed surface of this shingle is 10” by 36” giving it twice the exposed surface of an asphalt shingle. The result is a faster installation with a truly interlocked metal shingle with no wind or water tension issues.

How, you might ask, did these guys figure this out? Simple, they field tested many prototypes for over 5 years and studied the issues with current metal shingles. Since they had a metal roofing company to install these prototypes and study the results they actually saw firsthand what their shingles were doing. On one water test they installed the shingle on a square platform that could be elevated or lowered. Instead of a solid plywood deck they installed a 1×4 where the nails strip was. This allowed the ability to watch under the shingles as water was sprayed on the shingles at different slopes and with different force. Once they were sure this prototype worked they selected the most experienced company in the nation, in this specialty, to start building the machine. Two years, and many changes later, the machine was finished.

This 4Ever metal shingle exceeded our expectations. Not only is it inexpensive and easy to install it is beautiful! This 4Ever metal shingle has a 40 year warranty on the paint alone and it is virtually maintenance free. It is safe to walk on and because it has a protective plastic that isn’t removed until the entire roof installation is finished there is no scratching or marring on the beautiful matte and Energy Star surface.

For information on this beautiful and affordable roof look us up at: AlphaRain.com

Written By: Brandy Dysart
Owner and Founder of Alpha Rain Metal Roofing

In the 1860 to 1890 era “Terned Tin” roofs gained in popularity in the Mid Atlantic region. The iron-coated tin roofs were inexpensive when compared to slate, wood and tile options available at the time and if properly maintained would exceed their 80 years expected lifespan. In the last 20 years, our company has replaced many of these roofs that are over 120 years old.

With tin roofs, longevity occurred with constant maintenance with proper painting being the most important. Keep in mind that almost all roofing paint until 1978 had lead so that the molecular adhesion sometimes helped the paint last 20 years between paintings.

Now the question is how long will modern metal roofs last? The most popular substrate available is Galvalume plated carbon steel. This plating was invented by Bethlehem Steel in the 1970’s. At that time they thought it would last 50 to 60 years.  In 2012, the Chicago-based Metal Construction Association (MCA) and Olympia, Wash.-based Zinc Aluminum Coaters Association (ZAC) commissioned a study to perform forensic tests at 14 existing Galvalume standing-seam metal roof sites throughout the country in varying climates and precipitation PH. The average age of these roofs was more than 30 years at the time of testing.

These sites were initially chosen for their varied temperature and humidity zones but it quickly became apparent the difference in PH levels was the factored that affected the lives of these Galvalume roofs. Here are the states these roofs were located: Massachusetts (2 sites), Ohio (3 sites), South Carolina (2 sites), Georgia (1 site), Colorado (1 site), New Mexico (1 site), Arizona (1 site), Oregon (1 site) and Wyoming (2 sites).

The conclusion was that the higher the PH levels the lower the acidity in the precipitation. The average panel life expectancy for 14 sites was 139 years. The lowest PH was 4.36 with a life expectancy of 66 years; the highest pH was 5.37 with a life expectancy of 375 years. After eliminating the highest and lowest, average life expectancy is 125 years. This average life expectancy is more than twice the 60-year life expectancy required by LEED v4.

When a coating is applied to the Galvalume metal roofs the life expectancy increases to over 180 years. At that time your great-grandchildren may want to discuss using one of their modern coatings to add another 100 years to this very long-lasting metal roofing system.

We can even add more years to these durable substrates if we include a roof ventilation system that, in some cases, can reduce attic air temperatures in the summer by as much as 50 degrees. For more information on our patented Therma Vent ventilation systems visit us at: AlphaRain.com

Written By: Brandy Dysart
Owner and Founder of Alpha Rain Metal Roofing

There are 2 basic categories of roofs, permanent and temporary. For our discussion, we will say a permanent roof is a roof that lasts over one generation or 50 years. Some examples of permanent roofs are slate, tile, metal, clay and some types of wood shake such as cypress (80 year lifetime) and cedar shake. I bet you think I made a mistake including cedar shake because in If you are in the Virginia area as they only last 15 to 25 years. However, If you visit a very arid climate like Colorado, you will see cedar shake roofs last over 100 years.

Have you noticed that asphalt shingles are not on this list even though there is a classification of “Lifetime” and “50 years” available? With the new asphalt shingles using filler materials such as crushed limestone, fiberglass, and other composites as fillers these shingles just don’t qualify as a permanent roofing material. The obvious reason they are by far the most popular roof is the price.

All roofs in the permanent category are anywhere from 3 to 5 times more expensive than most asphalt shingles. What if one of the permanent roofs cost the same as a “Lifetime” asphalt shingle and lasted over a hundred years AND was beautiful? Let me introduce you to that very cost-effective roofing option.

Introducing our new 4Ever metal shingle! Isn’t it beautiful? It competes with the “Lifetime” asphalt shingle and the paint warranty alone is 40 years.

The average life for the Galvalume substrate averages 130 years! This classy roof is now available from 4Ever Metals through Alpha Rain Metal Roofing. Visit us at AlphaRain.com and see our before and after photos. (540-222-1642)This particular church had an old Victorian Stamped tin shingle on it that lasted over one hundred years. We replaced it with a beautiful classy standing seam roof. The education annex had an economical asphalt shingle roof that was starting to fail and after some plywood repair, we installed this gorgeous metal shingle in about a day and a half with a 4 man crew.

We are offering a stunning color choice of Black, Bronze, Charcoal Gray and Forest Green. All of these coatings are Energy star and have Matte finishes just like the Historic church.

As you can imagine this cost-effective metal shingle is becoming very popular. Call us for more information or a free estimate. 540-222-1642

Written By: Brandy Dysart 
Owner and Founder of Alpha Rain Metal Roofing

There is a lot of confusion about metal thickness, especially if the hardness or grade of the metal is not included. The higher the number the thinner the metal. Commercial-Grade steel is usually 24 gauge for Standing Seam Panels. Residential construction is usually 26 gauge for Standing seam panels. Both have the highest impact rating (Class 4). Why do you think 24 gauge is used for commercial applications? It’s simple, commercial panels are generally longer so the extra thickness is needed to get the longer panel on the roof without bending. After it is installed there is no fundamental difference. 26 gauge is available in matte finishes which is very important in residential metal roofing because it doesn’t “telegraph” the expansion and contraction bulges, commonly known as “oil canning”. 29 gauge metal panels dominate the farm and agricultural industry. Did you know there can be a 40% difference in dent resistance between a thick and thin 29 gauge metal panel. In the metal industry, the gauge is a range of thicknesses that manufacturers have to stay within. For instance, the 4Ever Metal shingles are made from 28 gauge thickness. There can be a 40% difference in dent protection between the low and high end of 29 gauge. This difference in dent protection is an important consideration when investing in a metal roof, and that is one of the reasons we choose the 28 gauge which is thicker than all the 29 gauge agricultural metals.

Now that we have talked about steel thickness let’s talk about steel hardness. Metal roofing is produced from different hardness grades. Grade 80 is hard steel used to produce metal agricultural panels of 28 to 29 gauges. This combination of thickness and hardness is great for metal shingles. 4Ever Metal shingles are made out of Grade 80 hardness. To bend the shingle a long roll forming process is used to gradually bend the panels. All the trim is 26 gauge Grade 50 due to the severe angels that are necessary to make drip edge, wall flashing and valley metal.

An advantage of using such hard steel is that it is not damaged by walking on it. Once the protective plastic film coating is removed you can safely walk on the shingles with a soft rubber sole shoe without fear of bending or scratching.

For more information on our 4Ever Metal shingle call 540-222-1642 or visit us at AlphaRain.com.

Written By: Brandy Dysart 
Owner and Founder of Alpha Rain Metal Roofing